This app is used by our 5th grade science teacher to teach the basics of potential & kinetic energy. They also discuss force & trajectory & what type of energy the pigs & the birds have. (free/iPod - $0.99/iPad - $2.99)
Students use their engineering skills to build complex structures from tree houses to submarines, but they need remember to stay under budget. The challenges are fun & annoying addictive. There are 12 challenges that progress in difficulty. The more students stay under budget, the more points they receive. They start using a blueprint editor, & they can test their creations against the weight or pressure. There is a button to use while testing that shows the builder where the stress is being placed using green & red.
If you want more building challenges, there is in-app purchase of three more similar games by the developer Jundroo. They are Dummy Defense, Santa’s Engineer, & BridgeBasher. This app is worthwhile & this is one of those great apps for critical thinking & creativity. It fantastic way to reinforces basic physics & engineering principles in a realistic simulation. ($1.99)
Students must build a machine to accomplish a task. As they work through the machines become more & more detailed. Students may also create their own designs & submit them to be used. This app would remind kids of the Incredible Machines program. (free)
Middle School Physics Apps
Table of Contents
Angry Birds
This app is used by our 5th grade science teacher to teach the basics of potential & kinetic energy. They also discuss force & trajectory & what type of energy the pigs & the birds have. (free/iPod - $0.99/iPad - $2.99)
SimplePhysics
Students use their engineering skills to build complex structures from tree houses to submarines, but they need remember to stay under budget. The challenges are fun & annoying addictive. There are 12 challenges that progress in difficulty. The more students stay under budget, the more points they receive. They start using a blueprint editor, & they can test their creations against the weight or pressure. There is a button to use while testing that shows the builder where the stress is being placed using green & red.
If you want more building challenges, there is in-app purchase of three more similar games by the developer Jundroo. They are Dummy Defense, Santa’s Engineer, & BridgeBasher. This app is worthwhile & this is one of those great apps for critical thinking & creativity. It fantastic way to reinforces basic physics & engineering principles in a realistic simulation. ($1.99)
TinkerBox
Students must build a machine to accomplish a task. As they work through the machines become more & more detailed. Students may also create their own designs & submit them to be used. This app would remind kids of the Incredible Machines program. (free)
Last Updated - June 2013